How to Make a 3-D Christmas Card

Surprise someone on your holiday list with a pyramid pop-up card. Here's how to make one.

Instructions

Step 1: Score paper in half Score the card stock in half. To "score" means to make an indented line in a piece of paper without cutting through it.

TIP: Using a scoring board ensures that your lines are accurate.

Step 2: Score a tab Score a 1/4 inch tab lengthwise, and then cut half of it away, plus another 1/2 inch, snipping it off at an angle. Cut a notch at the other end of the tab, also at an angle, so that the tab makes an isosceles trapezoid. Fold the entire card at the initial score

Step 3: Cut card into a square Now make a square. Place your compass point at the folded corner of your card, right at the tab, and draw an arc from the opposite open corner back down to the folded edge. Using a ruler to make sure you've got a straight line, cut the paper from the point where the arc meets the folded edge.

Step 4: Score more lines Unfold the paper and lay it flat with the tab at the bottom right. Using your ruler, score a line from the upper left corner diagonally across to the bottom of the initial fold. Now score from the upper right corner. Your score lines should create a V.

Step 5: Cut the lines Close the card with the traced arc from your compass facing up; then, rotate the square so it looks like a diamond, with the tab at the bottom right. Lightly draw a dot where the scored line intersects with the compass arc.

Step 6: Cut out an angle Using your ruler, draw a line from the left corner of the diamond to the intersection dot. Repeat on the other side, going from the right corner. Cut along the lines through both sides of the paper. Remove the cut piece and fold along the V score.

Step 7: Decorate Decorate the card by gluing on Christmas-themed cutouts with greetings. Center some of the cutouts on the creases, with just half of the design glued down onto one of the faces, so they pop up when the card is opened.

Step 8: Finish Fold the tab up and place double-sided tape along it. Fold the other half of the card in and press alongside the tab. Make sure it stands up in a pyramid shape. Now fold it flat, put it in an envelope, and send it to someone who will appreciate a 3-D Christmas card!

FACT: The painting that inspired one of Hallmark's most successful Christmas cards was sold for $234,000 in 2008.